SHAWNA DRISCOLL

Shawna Driscoll is Director of Operations for Park Hospitality, overseeing Donna's, Bar Flores, Lowboy, and Wolf & Crane. From her beginnings serving tables at a yacht club in her New England hometown, then at the beloved Hillstone in Midtown New York City, she developed an understanding of hospitality as something more felt than explained, rooted in connection rather than consumption.

After a decade opening and operating restaurants across D.C. spots like Reveler's Hour and Boqueria, she moved to Los Angeles and served as the opening GM of Donna's before transitioning to oversee the group's operations.

Apart from a detour to get a Master's in International Affairs, she's always preferred the warmth of a crowded dining room to an office building—a choice that grew into a career devoted to hospitality.

KARLA FLORES-MERCADO

Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, Karla made her way to California around the age of 10. Karla started working in her mother’s restaurant by the age of 12. Hospitality is in her blood, and she is very grateful to be born outside of the United States for the perspective it has given her. Living in southern California allowed Karla to explore many different fields in hospitality. Her solo cocktail pop-up Sip In LA started in 2011 and planted the seeds for what would later become Bar Flores.

Nowadays, you can find Karla in her test kitchen doing R&D as the Beverage Director of Park Hospitality and co-owner of Bar Flores. Outside of work, she enjoys researching global cooking styles and techniques, spending time with her dogs, and experiencing new local restaurants and bars in Los Angeles with her girlfriend and occasionally putting googly eyes on things.

SPENCER SMITH

Spencer is the Controller for Park Hospitality, where he combines nearly a decade of experience in accounting and finance with a genuine passion for hospitality. A lifelong food enthusiast, he finds joy in exploring great restaurants and memorable dining experiences—making his role a natural fit in an industry that blends business precision with culinary creativity.

Before entering the world of finance, Spencer was a competitive swimmer in both high school and college, bringing that same focus and drive to his professional life. Outside of work, he enjoys snowboarding and spending time in the mountains. He lives in Upland with his wife, Daniela, and their son, Luka.

JULIAN MERCADO

Julian Mercado is a multifaceted creative professional based in Los Angeles, originally from San Antonio, Texas. Since relocating to LA in 2018, Julian has built a dynamic career as a photographer, social media manager, and has a deep passion for music as a drummer. With a sharp eye for visual storytelling and a passion for authentic engagement, Julian specializes in creating compelling photo content and managing digital presence for the Park social pages.

Outside of his professional work, Julian continues to explore his musical roots, blending his artistic passions into every project he takes on. Whether behind the camera, on stage, or behind the scenes curating social feeds, Julian brings energy, creativity, and a deep understanding of culture and community to everything he does.

SATHIA SUN

Sathia is a first-generation Cambodian-American chef who loves bold flavors, simple foods done right, and—above all—hotdogs. He grew up knowing how powerful food can be in bringing people together, and that idea still drives his approach to cooking and hospitality. Before becoming a chef, he studied anthropology—something that still shapes how he thinks about food and culture. He later trained at the Culinary Institute of America, where he laid the foundation for his professional cooking career.

He cooked in New York’s bountiful Hudson Valley as well as in Manhattan before moving back home to Los Angeles where he further developed his cooking at Felix, Pasjoli, and Union. Each place taught him something different, from precise technique to the value of cooking from the heart. His food blends solid technique and is always thoughtful, but never too serious.

JASMINE ZHOU

Jasmine, a Los Angeles native, began her journey in cooking while working at a small cafe during her college years studying psychology. Upon graduation she continued to work her way through kitchens in LA and attributes her foundational years to Son of a Gun and Gwen. From there she traveled and worked abroad in China and Australia before returning back to the states during the pandemic. Most recently, Jasmine is coming off a project in Miami and Las Vegas with KYU restaurant group and is excited to be back home where the produce, weather, and culture truly cannot be beat.

In her free time, Jasmine enjoys hot yoga, indoor cycling, and hiking. You can also always find her exploring mom and pop shops and restaurants.

CHRIS MEHRA

Chris fell in love with hospitality 15 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Every step he’s taken in this industry has been driven by a desire to grow, evolve, and become a true leader in the hospitality space. He’s worked in coffee shops, breweries, and craft cocktail bars all across Los Angeles—and every experience has led Chris to the incredible space we now call Bar Flores.

One of the biggest lessons he’s learned over the years is that it truly takes a tribe. No great place is built alone. Since being entrusted to lead this team, Chris made it his mission to help Bar Flores  get a little better every single day.

When not at work, you’ll probably find him at a Dodgers game or spending time with family and friends.

MARISA MERCADO

Marisa Mercado is a hospitality professional with over 10 years of experience, originally from Riverside, California. Known for her warm presence and sharp service instincts, Marisa brings a decade of industry expertise to every role she takes on. Outside of work, she enjoys catching a good baseball game, sipping bourbon, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

JASON VALDEZ

Before coming back to LA Jason worked the hospitality circuit in San Francisco. That is where he learned how to bartend (appropriately) and where he fell in love with whisk(e)y.

Since starting down this path, Jason has always landed at really great whisk(e)y bars. Not knowing anything about the subject, he took a deep dive and came out with such an appreciation for the dram. After a decade in the Bay Jason realized that the things he loved most about this business were delicious cocktails, whisk(e)y & community.

He eventually came back to LA and found Wolf & Crane Bar and it embodied everything he enjoyed about working behind a bar. He continued coming as a patron and eventually got the lead gig. He tries daily to find ways to make this veteran bar feel as special for others as it does for him. “I love this bar, I love this community, and hope to see you here too, enjoying the craft we love.”

GINA ZOEF

Gina’s early, family restaurant experiences sparked a lifelong love for food, service, and community. Gina worked her way through nearly every front-of-house position, eventually finding her passion in beverage—drawn to its ability to tell stories, evoke place, and bring people together. After years of front-of-house service, she now serves as the General Manager and Wine Director of Donna’s in Echo Park.